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CAMHS ADHD Assessment

If your child or adolescent has difficulty, they may be sent for an ADHD assessment to CAMHS. They will usually be asked to bring with them their parent(s)/guardian(s) and a teacher who knows them well.

In response to COVID-19 parents' and caregivers' responses to the interview highlighted the benefits of remote appointments but also that face-to–face appointments would be preferred during assessments.

Symptoms

If you suffer from ADHD, your child or teen might be unable to sit still, forgetting things, having difficulty falling asleep, and is easily distracted by external stimuli. They may also be unable to keep up with the demands of tasks or activities at school or home and have difficulty understanding information, and find it hard to follow directions. They might lose items and have trouble finishing assignments or homework and miss appointments. They may injure themselves or others if not careful. They might have difficulties with relationships, find it hard to find jobs or jobs, and have a difficult time getting along with their family.

Some children and adolescents with ADHD are impulsive. They may be impulsive, fidget, or struggle to wait their turn. They might not listen to what other people say and might be more inclined to take risks, such as using drugs or engaging in dangerous sexual activity. Certain adults with ADHD suffer from emotional issues and can easily become irritable or angry. They might also be overly sensitive to criticism or feel that other people are criticising them.

The symptoms of ADHD can vary from person to person and may change as you get older. They can affect anyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity or background. ADHD can be treated with medication. It is essential to be aware that treatment does not eliminate all the symptoms of the disorder and can cause adverse side adverse effects.

A camhs adhd assessment is the first step towards getting help for ADHD. This is usually performed by asking your GP to make an appointment. They might recommend you to a mental health service to conduct a specialist ADHD assessment.

The ELFT's Quality Improvement team (QI) collaborated with City and Hackney ADHD teams to improve the speed and accuracy of their assessment process. In the end, the average waiting time from referral to feedback on assessment was reduced to less than 12 weeks. This is in line with the trust's target.

Diagnosis

ADHD is a medical issue that can be treated with medications, behavioral therapy, or education. It can be a challenge for children and parents to understand the condition however there is a lot of support available. Speak to your GP if you or your child is showing symptoms of ADHD. They can refer you to a specialist CAMHS team who will examine your child's condition and make a diagnosis.

If your child is referred to a CAMHS ADHD assessment service, they are usually seen by one or two members of the team. They will also seek out the caregivers or parents of the child, and a teacher who is familiar with their child well to provide feedback. The team will utilize standardised assessments and detailed histories to determine your child's difficulties. They will also send out Conners questionnaires for the child as well as their parent(s) or guardian(s) as well as a teacher that knows the young person well to complete prior the assessment appointment.

The CAMHS team will then determine that your child needs further tests and they will refer them to a clinical psychologist. The psychologist will use different tests to determine how your child manages emotions and behaves in various situations. They will assess how your child behaves at home, at school, and in public places.

During the examination the doctor will talk with you and your child what they've discovered. The doctor will then make an assessment, and then discuss treatment options with you. The use of medication is frequently used to treat people suffering from ADHD however, it will not remove all of the symptoms.

getting an assessment for adhd is divided into several pathways, and the "ADHD assessment pathway" falls within the Neurodevelopmental Assessment pathway. However, certain youngsters and children will undergo their ADHD assessment done through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is because their cognitive abilities are higher and their issues more complicated than other children and youth who use CAMHS. This pathway is described in more detail on the 'ID the CAMHS" page on this site.

Treatment

The NHS provides specialist assistance to children and adolescents with ADHD through a local support service. This could include a psychiatrist or psychologist or even nurses. They may ask you to explain your symptoms and how they impact your life. They might also talk to your teachers, parents, or other caregivers. They may decide to treat you with medicine or suggest alternative treatment options instead. The NHS website offers information about treatments and what you can expect.

A recent report2 identified the issue of lengthy waiting times for CAMHS services. The wait times for the assessment of ADHD are particularly long even when the care is of a high standard. National guidelines3 and local plans for transformation4 stress the importance of early identification and evaluation of children and adolescents with ADHD. However there are no specific guidelines on how long they should wait.





This project was created to reduce the waiting time for the ADHD assessment. This was accomplished through an easy tool for data collection and integration into the clinical system. The average number of weeks between the time the referral was made to the date the ADHD assessment feedback was given was decreased. The QI team would like to thank City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD for their dedication and hardwork throughout the course of this project.

If a medication is prescribed by a specialist, they will discuss the options with you and your family members. There are many medications which can treat ADHD. However, they all have different side-effects. It is crucial to know what to expect from any treatment.

In addition to medications, there are a variety of non-pharmacological interventions that can help improve the symptoms of ADHD. These include parenting programmes, behaviour therapy and psychological therapies. Sessions for groups or individuals are available. Apps that assist with planning and organization could be beneficial to someone suffering from ADHD.

The project involved twelve participants who had been referred recently to the CAMHS ADHD path within a local Trust. Interviews were semi-structured and took place over the phone. Participants were recruited through a purposeful sampling technique. This method was chosen because it is considered to be more ethical than the randomised controlled trial method which is typically employed in research studies.

Support

The diagnosis of ADHD is often a source of anxiety for parents and children alike, because the symptoms are often misinterpreted or viewed as bad behavior. Mental health services as along with charities and organizations can provide assistance. It is important that families understand what to expect from the assessment process. CAMHS has issued guidelines on the subject, which can be found by clicking on the hyperlinks below.

CAMHS also offer a number of different treatments for ADHD, including medication and lifestyle changes. But it is crucial to ensure that the appropriate treatment is selected for your child, since different people respond differently to different medications. A CAMHS assessment can include discussions with a nurse or doctor and may involve a range of tests, including brain scans and blood tests.

The City and Hackney ADHD Team recently launched a program to improve service quality and cut waiting times. The team conducted a series of meetings with service users throughout the assessment process and they identified key themes that informed improvements to the process. Service users, for instance, felt that the assessment was too lengthy and they did not receive enough support after the assessment. Additionally, they would like to receive more specific support for families and children who have been diagnosed with ADHD.

In the wake of the QI project, wait times from initial referral to ADHD evaluation have been reduced substantially. This is in line with the trust-level goals and is a reflection of the focus on enhancing efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team employed an approach to change and Plan-Do-Study Act cycles to drive positive changes in the ADHD pathway.

A diagnosis of ADHD could also assist you to obtain an Education, Health and Care Plan for your child. The EHCP allows your school to provide additional assistance for your children, such as medication and training courses. The school may also consult our CAMHS ADHD clinic for advice and support sessions for children who have received an ADHD diagnosis.